Hammersly: How I'd play Del Mar on Wednesday, Aug. 27
Your day’s bankroll could see an immediate lift from the early double.
SPECKLES goes into Race 1 off a sharp second at this level at the same type of trip and, with that under her belt after four months off, looks ready to hit pay dirt.
SILK IN SILVER in Race 2 dueled while routing for $12,500 here July 20 and paid the price, finishing sixth. However, Vann Belvoir saw fit to claim her (24 percent off a claim) and drops her a couple notches. She’s reunited with Rafael Bejarano, who was up for her only two wins, which, by the way, were both accomplished at this distance and in stellar fashion (by 10 1/4 and 5 1/4 lengths).
TEMEEKU is an option to perennial maidens ICONIC SPIRIT and STAR ACT in Race 3 as the 3-year-old daughter of Unusual Heat gets her first crack at a route. She broke slowly in her sprint debut Aug. 3 but ran on well for fourth and can surely benefit from that outing and today’s longer trip. It’s also nice that Joe Talamo was up that day and stays with her.
WEDDING BLUSH ran third in a stakes at Santa Rosa on Aug. 8, so she drops for Race 6. The gal she chased, Seduire, is a proven commodity in Southern California.
The late pick three is intriguing, as you can use SIR MACHO (returns to turf), MAXX THE GIANT (been knocking on the door), and ROMAR SUCCESS (get blinkers back on, and his best work has come with blinkers) in Race 7, a one-mile turf event.
EASTER FEVER (smashing winner of her debut here, claimed by sharp trainer Peter Miller) and DESERT STEEL (romping winner of her lone race here after a layoff; bullet work since) look attractive in Race 8, the Generous Portion.
DADDY’S DUO (drops out of straight maiden ranks), PERSONAL IMAGE (drops in price with a bullet work since) and MOTOR N MONA (showed good speed in only two outings, adds blinkers) have some appeal in the last leg, Race 9, a $50,000 maiden-claiming sprint.